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This is an extract from an article submitted to Smethwick Heritage recalling by-gone days.

In 1939 the factory "bulls" gave way to sirens and as children of our generation we were excitingly apprehensive, about to experience the dark days of war. Although we were unaware at the time, this was to create unity and friendships that have remained to this day. We were quite soon familiar with rationing, blackout, shelters of various types, gas masks, identity cards, evacuation for some, L.D.V., A.R.P. wardens and training and demonstrations at Smethwick Mansion House. Familiar sights were stirrup pumps and static water tanks at strategic points. I used to assist in making out the street fire-watching rotas.

At school we were encouraged to collect salvage, buy National Savings stamps and to donate to various money raising activities such as Wings for Victory. Many boys wore a collection of pin-on badges displayed on their coat lapels indicating a contribution made for each.

Most of our attention, however, was associated with what went on in the sky and the aftermath, viz barrage balloons, "stink pots", shell bursts around enemy aircraft, mobile 'pom-pom' A.A. guns roaming the streets at night during raids firing at goodness knows what - just a morale booster perhaps ?

On many occasions we observed Alex Henshaw putting spitfires through their test paces with sometimes what appeared to be death-defying manoeuvres. During 1941 in particular, we witnessed the results of the Luftwaffe's attention to our town's local industry committed to producing military hardware (The nightly bangs, the forge hammer at the Aluminium works Middlemore Road are still resonant). I think of the Heinkel crash in Hales Lane; the large bomb crater at the cemetery gates; a shop in Abbey Road razed to the ground with a vase incredibly still standing on an upstairs mantel-piece; collecting and swapping pieces of shrapnel as with cigarette cards (I still have the Air Raid Precautions et !)

Worthy of mention are some of the lighter moments obtained, mainly from the 大象传媒 Radio.
Two examples of children's slots were Anne Driver's P.E. to music and "Toytown" on Children's Hour. For the more mature there was "Bandwaggon"; the inimitable I.T.M.A.; In Town Tonight; Henry Hall's and Sandy McPherson's music; "Monday Night at Eight" and even Lord Haw-Haw raised the odd laugh.

Later in the war I recollect a mobile display by various tanks in Warley Woods to raise more funds. Also, scores of Lancaster bombers filling the evening sky en route to night bombing raids. All finally concluded with VE Day, witnessing bonfires and dancing in the streets. And will anyone who lived in Astbury Avenue at the time ever forget a popular tune that was 'played to death' that day called "The whistler and his dog" ?

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